Now that Brian Grant has graciously given the Knicks his blessing to trade for him, general manager Scott Layden is fervently trying to close a deal with the Trail Blazers.

Watching the Knicks summer league team hold an intra-squad scrimmage at Columbia University yesterday, Layden refused to comment on any discussions he’s had with Portland president Bob Whitsitt.

However, the Knicks are known to be offering a few packages to obtain Grant in a sign-and-trade. Those offers all include Marcus Camby. So far, though, the Blazers aren’t interested, but talks will continue.

After pandering to Grant and his wife, Gina, during an exciting three-day, head-of-state-like visit last week, the Knicks convinced the back-up power forward that New York City doesn’t bite.

“It’s always great to get someone here to get a chance to show him how great a city it is,” said Layden, a Big Apple native. “Sometimes when players come in and out of town they really don’t get an opportunity to get to look around much. It’s the greatest city in the world. If you have an opportunity to spend time with someone you can really shown them what a fantastic place it is.”

Before arriving in New York Wednesday, Grant, 28, viewed the entire city as being Fort Apache, The Bronx. A small-town guy, he was gravely concerned about uprooting his wife and two children from sleepy Portland to the city’s mean streets, you know, like Fifth Avenue and Central Park West.

But after taking an evening voyage in New York Harbor in Cablevision boss Charles Dolan’s yacht, and after a meal at Blue Water Grill, and after seeing the lush homes that Westchester and Greenwich have to offer, Grant realized playing for the Knicks wouldn’t be so grim after all.

“I think we felt good about him getting a chance to know us,” Layden said. “And certainly we feel very good about him after getting to know him a little better. From that point, yes, we were successful.”

Layden said that besides his sturdy rebounding, Grant would be a good addition for the Knicks with his extensive off-the-court charity work.

“I really think he’s a good person,” Layden said.

But that’s never been a major concern to the Knicks in the past. Most of all, they like Grant for his toughness and rebounding, which the Knicks lacked at times last season.

“When you watch him play you know he’s a tough guy and he plays hard,” Layden said. “Obviously he’d be a good fit. In order to play with a Jeff Van Gundy team you have to be a tough guy.”